Large Sculpted Calla Lily | Polymer Clay Tutorial

Video #258: “Asking nicely… would love to see a tutorial on those Calla Lily flower beads :) ” ~Laura-R

Calla Lilies are such incredibly beautiful flowers. I love them so much, they were my wedding flowers almost 25 years ago now. The shape and form of a Calla Lily, is sleek and delicate, yet there is something strong and almost bold about its thick sturdy stem and prominent stamen.

The Calla Lily is a great flower shape to make into polymer clay beads and jewelry pieces. In fact many of you will remember the tutorial I did way back of a funky little version of a Calla Lily Bead, done using cane slices.

To show just how many different varieties Calla Lilies come in, I found this neat video on YouTube showing several different forms and colors. It should give you some color inspiration for creating your own unique Calla Lily Jewelry pieces.

As soon as I get a chance, I’m going to make some of those nearly black, dark purple-y ones in the video… and maybe some coral colored ones too. So beautiful!

Now since so many of you commented about the Calla Lily Stick Pin that I included as a sample in the Vol-048 Etched Polymer Clay Tutorial, I’ve decide to make that the topic for this week’s tutorial…

That calla lily pin… hope we see that as a future tut. ~Jocelyn-C

What a lovely Calla Lily. The color and design are to die for. Grovel, smile, oh please sweet Cindy could we PLEASE have a Calla Lily Tute? ~Patt-W

Whoopeee! I am also fond of this calla Lilly. Pleaeaease, Cindy, would it be possible for you to create the tutorial ;-) ;-). Am I asking for it nicely enough???? ~Francine-C

Brilliant Cindy… yes I also love the calla lily’s with the crushed glass stamens… so hope we get to learn how to make them soon. ~Elaine-F

So… coming up tomorrow (Friday, June 1, 2012) in the Vol-049-1 members video at the Polymer Clay Tutor Library, I’m going demonstrate how to make large Calla Lily Beads that can be used for making large pendants, pins and other polymer jewelry pieces. This lily bead shape is great for home decor projects as well.

… Please Note: A general prerequisite for all of my weekly tutorials is that you have a good understanding of the polymer clay basics, including: conditioning clay, using a pasta machine, clay blade and other simple tools, making Skinner Blends or Teardrop Blends, baking clay, as well as sanding and finishing. If you need help in these areas, my Polymer Clay Beginners Course will get you up to speed quickly. There is also plenty of free information on this blog. Use the search box at the top of the page to find articles on specific topics.

Supplies & Tools: Video-049-1 Large Calla Lily:

PLEASE NOTE: In the tutorial, I provide low-cost or no-cost alternatives for some of the tools and supplies listed below. Also, this tutorial only shows the Lily Bead Shape. The Crushed Glass Stamen will be taught in the Vol-049-2 lesson (next week).

By the way, many of the “shopping” links I provide for the various tools and supplies used in my tutorials, are “affiliate” resources. That means companies like Amazon and the other suppliers I refer, pay me a small commission if you click on the links and end up making a purchase at their site. It’s not a lot, but every little bit helps in keeping the cost of my tutorials so low… at only $3.32 per month. And, the prices for products that you may purchase through my links, are exactly the same as what you would normally pay. So please do feel free to click away whenever you need to pick up a few things for your studio. Thanks so much for supporting this site :-)

The full version of the “Large Calla Lily” preview video shown above, is now available for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Vol-049 Back Issue Package.

Customer Feedback About Membership Value:

Hi CINDY, Thought I would add my two cents to this thread. Don’t ever stop researching and experimenting with different ways of using tools that are out there for other crafts. This is what makes you UNIQUE. Somebody said to ME once “Don’t try to fit in, you were born to Stand out”. So I say how true this is of YOU and yes, some of these tools are out of people’s price range but, hey nobody gets everything they want out of life, but we can always dream!!! Waiting now to see the full version of this latest tute, especially as I also work with leather and metal, (both that you mentioned could be used with the die cutter.) How exciting, even if I cannot afford it until I am a little wrinkly old lady!!!! So keep the experiments going, push the boundaries, go where no man (or woman) has gone before. Just remember, members and non-members, Cindy GAVE you the Teardrop Blend which was the best, the very best time-saving blending method ever, and who would have thought that one day we wouldn’t bat an eyelid, rolling our clay through a machine that made pasta? Wonder what inventive person came up with that idea? Best value site ever. Cheers. ~Elaine-F

I can’t imagine why anyone would pass this up. They’re missing out BIG TIME … spending just 3 bucks a month to get your remarkable weekly videos and even more recipes. ~Phaedrakat

Hi Cindy, Thank you for giving me the opportunity to give feedback on the course. I have to say that I wouldn’t have known what materials and supplies to buy before your course, as there always seemed to be too much choice and it was hard to know where to start. I have also been looking through some old books as well as going over your course. Consequently I now feel much more confident in starting. Your visuals have helped to clarify much of the material in the books, so now I feel that I will be starting the correct way from the beginning, rather than the hit and miss affair I was originally envisaging. Your tutorials are excellent. Very clear and slow enough to easily follow. I also like the short format, enough to get started but not too much to take in. Although I am a true beginner I find that when I view your more advanced videos, I actually feel I could do them with a bit of practice. So I’m looking forward to using all your hints and tips. ~Linda-H

The following topics are included in this week’s Polymer Clay Tutor Library, Large Calla Lily video tutorial:

See examples of pendants, pins and beads made with the Large Calla Lily tutorial video.

Find out how simple it is to create this gorgeous realistic flower shape in any color you choose.

Learn the reasons why you may just want to take a trip down the baking aisle of your local craft store for these awesome tools.

Plus, with some creativity and ingenuity, there are many ways to come up with other unique designs of your own.

The full version of the “Large Calla Lily” preview video shown above, is now available for purchase at the Polymer Clay Library in the Vol-049 Back Issue Package.

Comments

Cindy,
My Mothers favorite flower and her Birthday is June 10th.
Im making a trip to the city today for some supplies, can you please tell me what I will need for the crushed glass for next weeks tute so I can Whip one of these calla lillys up for her. Thanks

Very cool, Cindy! The YouTube video is neat, a lot of the shots look like modern art exhibits… and even some that look like X-rays of the flower, what a treat! Like you said, lots of colour and form inspiration. Can’t wait for tomorrow; that glass stamen for next week is very intriguing as well.

Boy – that was quick. EVERYBODY wanted to have a Calla Lily tute. And (tahdah) here it is. Oh, thanks, so much for chance to make this big Calla lily. Can’t wait -I’ve got everything ready – in anticipation for Friday – we wait………….

Beautiful Calla Lily Video! I did not realize they came in so many different colors. What an education we get with you Cindy. Not only do we get wonderful tutorials, you always come up with that something extra! Can’t wait for this one!

Thrilled to see this tute come up so soon! And does that video showing all the variations rock?

Not sure what Cindy is going to do for the crushed glass stamen in next week’s tute, but I can sure give you folks a great site to check out for possibilities: meyer-imports.com. These folks have one of the best selections of glass glitter and other options. I can get lost on this site for hours looking at all the possibilities.

Also, Google “crushed glass” and “crushed glass glitter” for other options/sources. If you request “images” on each search, the pictures are amazing.

Jocelyn- Thanks for that info. I inquired as to what would be needed for them so I could have it at the ready but got no reply. I was going to make one of these for my dear mother for her Birthday but found her something this evening I think she will like much better. You are sure right about getting lost for hours on that site. Thanks for sharing :)

Sorry Sandy if I didn’t respond to you quickly enough. It can get pretty busy around here making tutorials and stuff, so can’t always get to questions as fast as I would like. Sounds like Jocelyn helped you out quite nicely, though, so THANK YOU Jocelyn! Hope your mother has a wonderful birthday!

It’s an Enigma – The Calla Lily is not (in fact) a lily, nor does it have a single petal. What you see is called a” Spathe”, a leaf-like sheath that wraps curling around the “Spadix” which is the fleshy spike-like flower head, the heart of this exotic bloom.

It is associated with rebirth and new beginnings. Beloved by brides, florists and flower arrangers, as when cut will last up to 10 days in water.

Chosen by CINDY and DOUG on their wedding day. It must hold a host of wonderful memories for you both.

My niece and nephew got married in Prittlewell Priory, in Essex. This ancient grey stone building stands in leafy lawns in the centre of the park. My niece chose the tiny versions of this lily in deep burgundy and wasabi green – stunning. The bridesmaids dresses in burgundy satin elegantly hugged their slim figures
. At the reception the colour scheme continued and these beautiful little lilies made wonderful centre pieces for the tables. In fact when it was all over the departing guests nearly came to blows as all wanted to take the flower arrangements home but not enough to go round.

So a big THANK YOU for this latest adventure into the wonderful world of flowers, it must also remind you of your (then new) Father-in-law CINDY, so cherish your flower memories.

So glad I purchased the Wilton flower cutter set as you suggested that we might use in the future videos and love the idea of your etched petals.Now will have to wait a whole week until I can find out about crushed glass……. How exiting………………………..cheers xx……………………………..

I was doing so well resisting the urge to buy that paste forming set! And then, you go and post this… this AMAZING tutorial. Sigh. ;)

Now I will have to go out (coupon in hand) and buy it. Can’t wait to make an “etched copper” calla lilly!!! Hrmmm. Wonder if I can make the outside of it look “hammered” without damaging the etching? O.O

Hope, I assume you’re going to be using copper-coloured PC? How about doing the mica shift technique (Vol-018) on one side of your sheet with an appropriate design, then flipping it over, add another sheet if needed to get it to Cindy’s recommended thickness, and do the etching technique. Or you could use 2 different colours of clay put together, might be cool… let us see your creation if you come up with something that works!

Cindy this is an amazing tute ! Your handling of the clay made all the difference in a “clunky” or a realistic flower. We will be using your tricks of the trade on many other flowers as well. Such a dainty but sturdy flower you made. I would love to have a pendant made with it…….hmmmmmmmmm –bye bye – claying coming up

Love this tutorial and can’t wait till Next Friday when I can put the finishing touch on them. I can’t wait to get going on this so I will have some all ready for next Friday. You definately have made it so we can get our moneys worth from all our Wilton items. I love buying tools and supplies and when you know you will be using them for more than just one type of bead that just makes it even easier to pay for them. I have the Wilton set and have used it so much but the fact that you always have a back up plan for those who can’t get the set for some reason shows what a great teacher you are and how much you care for each and every one of us. Great tute, great filming makes for a wonderful lesson.
Thank you both!!

Does anyone know if the Wilson funnel shape for forming the calla lily is the type of plastic that would survive an hour in the oven at the proper temp? If it does, I can sure see it as a mold for those gorgeous cone scarf pins or scarf holders (see discussion thread for specifics…coneheads…hee hee with Dixie.

Jocelyn, I myself would not trust putting that thin plastic in the oven but then what do I know! We found out the resin would bake for an hour without harming it. LOL Is there a way you could take some heavy foil and make a mold for your lily flower? Maybe you could make a paper one and then use that to make a foil one? You could also overlay some cardstock with heavy foil, that might work. I made a big boo-boo today and burned my mosaic necklace so now I have to start over. 7 of the resin pcs burned almost black. I forgot to set my oven temp at a lower setting. See, all that work and down the drain. I did learn a lot though and hopefully will have gained more knowledge for the next one. I was able to save two of the ends and will use them for pendants.

Oh no, Dixie! You poor thing. I do that too, more than I’d like to admit. I have two timers, one around my neck and one in the main area and set them to check the toaster oven in the kitchen (because I cannot hear the timer go off in the kitchen under the fan vent). It can get pretty comical, but, the last batch I baked this week came out very well, just a little darkening even with tenting. Going to soak those in bleach and see what happens.

FYI – remember the bead cone tute? I mentioned usingchandelier light bulbs as forms. Try it with the Calla Lilies . You do have to prop the outside of the petals, though. It works just fine……………..smile

Jocelyn,
I think the cone will survive the hour. I have used the Wilton cup forms many times in the oven my one error was placing one on the rack without a tile under it. The rack gets hot and does melt the little cup. I saved it to remind myself of the disaster I created by being in a hurry and forgetting the tile.I tend to leave one tile in the oven always just so I do not make that mistake again.
Good luck with your project.

Ohooh poor Dixie
after all you hard work to end up with charred embers, know the feeling, think we’ve all been there, done it and got the T-shirt. My mosiac project turned into cinders but hey you’ve gotta laugh. My sister burned a load of carrots she was making for her granddaughter who lives in Germany. she painstakenly got out her paints and painted everyone individually. (What we do for our grandchildren) anyway after using future floor polish they looked fine and her granddaughter loves them. So ever burned bits can turn into works of art. Looking forward to (mark II) you will get it right eventually. Love your comments…………….keep going to the wonderful end result…………………………..cheers xx

I am very excited. after purchasing the Wilton Calla Lily forms you show in your video. You are a great teacher! You don’t talk down to ladies who don’t have the experience you do. I like that.

I am a lady who likes the Victorian age. I have just cut out a shape of a Victorian hat in polymer and am going to attempt to decorate it in that era. Anything you can teach doing things in that time, would be much appreciated. Showing how you might make something a little different. I am going to look for pictures of Victorian gloves and purses too. And try to decorate them also — since you are so creative, maybe this might be a little challenge you could take up. I would like to do this for scrapbook embellishment — since my daughter is a scrapper.

Hi Pat… I’ve made a mental note about your Victorian theme request. Thanks for your suggestion. BTW: If you type “Victorian” as a keyword into the search box, you will find some relevant information posted here at the blog already.

Oh Victorian is good….love that stuff. I love the big Calla Lily made from the Wiltons Forms but am always looking for ways to work in different sizes. I like earrings to go with a lot of Cindys tutorials so I cut up a bunch of soda cans and was amazed at how easy it is to make templates with it. It’s inexpensive and if you don’t mind not getting your bottle refund we have here in Iowa it is great for embossing too! I spent a whole day playing around and got a great template for making a much smaller Calla Lily. I would really like to see more tutes on making different kinds of clasps from metal to go with the polymer and to see different ways these two can be joined together. Got any ideas Cindy?

Cindy,
I have a question about the finished calla lilies that you show on this video, other than the white one you completed in the video. Can you tell us how you got that effect? It looks like perhaps translucent clay rubbed with mica powder?

I finally found grommets for the large holed beads, and can’t find the tutorial. Can you help me? I have no idea what number it is. I thought there was an area that was subject matter, like “beads”, “techniques”, “equipment”, etc., but I am lost again.
Kelly Beavers